Machine



3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

5551s.- HARVESTING MACHINE.

ented Mar.

NA PETERS. Plwlolthugrap (No Model.)

J. KEYS.

HARVBSTING MACHINE.

3 Sheets-Sheerl 2. 4

Patente r. 28,1882.

-mo Model.) 3 Sheets- Sh'een' J KEYS.

HARVESTING MAGHNB..

No. 255,635. Patented lV[a1'.28,1882 .A l

N PETERS. mwm-Lnhngmplwf, waswngm", D.. c.

UNTTED STATES JOHN Kars, OE BEL-otr,

PATENT OFFICE.

Kansas, AssteNoE OE ONE-HALE r ro GEORGE w. Pour, OE sAME PLAGE.

HARVESTlNG-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 255,635, dated March 281, 1882.

Application tiled February 14, 188:2. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, JOHN KEYS, of Beloit, in the county of Mitchell-and State of Kansas, have invented certain Improvementsin-Har- VestingMachines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of har-` vesting-machines in which the body of the machine is carried in advance of the team by means of a rearwardly-extending tongue or draft-polo, which is jointed to the main frame, and to the rear end of which the team is connected. l

a The invention consists in improved means for guiding or turning the frame in relation to the drattpole; in connecting said device with the swiveling wheel at the rear end of the pole, whereby the position of the swivel-wheel is changed at the same time that the position ofthe frame is changed in relation to the pole; also, in the arrangement of devices for securing the vertical adjustment ofthe main frame 5 also, in the novel construction of the automatic receiver and gaveling mechanism, and in the combination ofthe same with packing devices also, in various details of minor importance, which will be hereinafter specified.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

`Figure l represents a top plan view of my machine; Fig. 2, a longitudinal vertical section of the machine on the line 0c m, Fig. l; Fig. 3, a transverse vertical section on the line y y; Fig. `4, an outside end view of the automatic gaveling mechanism, a portion of the gear-wheel being broken away to expose other parts to view. Fig. 5 is a view looking against the rear end of the main frame, showing in' side elevation the conveying or delivering devices employed when the machine is used as' a header; Fig. 6, a vertical section on theline y y, showing the conveyer and the devices employed when theniachine is used as a handbinder.

Referring to the drawings, A A representa rigid rectangular main frame, provided at its front edge with cutting devices' B, of any ordinary or approved style, the cutting devices and the mechanism for driving the same formlng no part of my invention. The main frame A is sustained upon two ground-wheels, C, located therein near the rear end, these wheels being connected with the frame in such manner as to permit its vertical adjustment, as hereinafter described in detail.

For the purpose of propelling and guiding the main frame and retaining the same in its horizontal position I secure to its rear end `by means of a vertical hinge-pin, G, abackwardly-` extending tongue or draft-bar, F, the rear end of which is supported by a steering-wheel, H, and carried in a swiveling post, I, which latter is extended upward through the draft-pole and provided with'` a handle or steering device on the upper end, so as to be operated by the attendant riding on the rear end of the pole, as usual. The steering motion is effected by swinging the arm horizontally and changing its angle with relation to the draftpole, the steering-wheel being at the same time Vturned at a suitable angle to cause theton'gue to swing laterally. The swinging or steering movement ot' the france is secured by means of chains L, which are attached to the two rear' corners of the main frame and passed thence on opposite sides of pulleys c, secured upon the draft pole or tongue, and carried thence' backward to opposite ends of a horizontal har, K, which is secured rigidly to the swiveled post I of the supporting-wheel, as represented in Figs. l and 2. It will be seen that under the above-described arrangement the turning of the post or changing the angle of the steerin g-wheel at the same time operates the barK and chains L, causing the latter to swinger' turn the main frame horizontally, changing' its angle to the draft-pole and causing the'` machine to move to the right or left, as may be required. This connection of the swiveling wheel with the devices by which the angle between the ton gne and main frame is changed is afeature of importance,inasmuch as it gives the operator perfect control over the move; ment of the machine and permits the latter to be turned quickly and in a very contracted space.

While it is preferred to retain the arrangement of parts represented in the drawings, it.

is obvious that the connections between the v25 rear ends, as shown at a.

swiveling wheel, the tongue, and the main frame may be, modified, provided the parts are connected so that the swiveling motion ofthe wheel changes in a positive manner the angle 5 between the main frame and tongue.

1o upon the rear end ofthe tongue or draft-pole and arranged to engage with a notched plate, b', connected with the swiveling-wheel post.

The connections L between the steering device and main frame may consist, as shown in the drawings, of chains or ropes extending the entire distance, or may consist of rods having chains connected therewith at the points of iiexure, where they pass arounl the pulleys c. The mann( r in which the main frame is made "2o adjustable vtrtically upon the main wheels G is clearly represented in Figs. l, 2, and 3, the wheels G being mounted upon a horizontal shaft,D, which is supported in two or more pivoted levers, E, hinged or pivoted at their The forward ends of the levers are attached to the ends of a chain, M, which extendsthence downward and y. backward 4under guiding-pulleys h to a handlever, N,y mounted upon the rear end of atongue or draft pole, as plainly represented in Figs. l and 2, so that when the lever is moved y forward t-he chains are caused to draw downward upon the forward ends of the wheel carrying levers and raise the main frame.

It will be observed on reference to the drawings that the "chain M has its forward end forked or branched for connection with the respective levers, and also that one ofthe guiding-pulleys 7L ot' the chain is located inimediately adjacent to the joint G of the pole or tongue, so that the horizontal motion ofthe main frame has no appreciable effect upon the action of the lifting-chains.

'For the purpose of securing the fratrie at different heights the hand-leverNis provided with a locking-dog,f, arranged to engage in a notched bar vor rack-plate, g, secured to the draft pole or'tongue. Any other suitable locking devices may, however, be employed as a substitute for those shown. lt will be observed'thatthejointed connection G between the main frame and draft-pole prevents said parts'lfrom moving vertically in relation to eachother, whereby the draft-pole is caused 455 to maintain the main frame in its proper horizon`talor substantially horizontal, position.

It willalso be observed that, inasmuch as y the draft-pole is sustained at its rear end a considerableidistanee behind the main frame,

6o the angleor inclination of the main frame is not materially changed by its vertical adjustmentfthe frame retaining substantially a horiz ontal position under all of its adjustments.

' Passing next to the automatic mechanism for v'g'gaveling the grain or dividing the same linten: bundles of uniform size, attention is directed to Figs. l, 3, and 4. Outside of the main frame, immediately beneath the outer end of the transverse conveyer-belt P,Iimount a revolving receiver, B', having three or more pockets or receptacles disposed around the central shaft in such mannerv that as the receiver is revolved the various receptacles will be brought into position to receive the grain successively from the conveyer. rlhe receiver has one or'both ends of its horizontal supporting-shaft mounted in horizontally-slotted supporting plates or arms t. A spring, u, arranged to bear against the end of the shaft, as shown in Fig. 4, urges the receiver inward toward the conveyer, but permits the same to be crowded outward as the amount of grain -in the receiver reaches the desired limit. 0n the movable end of the receiver-shaft I mount a disk, e, provided in its periphery with three notches, w, arranged to engagesuccessively with a stationary stud, secured on the ontside ofthe frame, the stud serving to prevent the rotation of the receiver. During the time that the receiver is being filled the stud remains engaged in onel of the notches and the receiver is held rigidly in position. When, however, the accumulation of grain causes the receiver to be forcedoutward the disk e isv carried outward and disengaged from the locking-stud, so that it is permitted to make a third of a revolution and discharge the accumulated grain. During this rotation of the receiver the stud x bears against thesmooth periphery of the disk; but as soon as the receiver has completed a third of a revolution the stud engages in the next notch of the disk and retains the receiver with its next coinpai tmentin position to receive the grain.

For the purpose of imparting a positive rotation to the receiver to effect the discharge of thegrain I mount on the outside ofthe frame, as shown in Fig. 4, a continuously-revolving gear-wheel, d', and on the end of the movable receiver-shaft I mount a gear-wheel,

e', in such manner than when the receiver isA IOO IIO

IIS

communicated to the pinion d by means of a' pulley and a belt extending thence to a pulley on the end of one of the conveyer-rolls, as shown in Fig. 3, or it may be otherwise driven, as preferred. t

For the purpose of packing or pressing the grain into the receiver any suitable packing device known in the art may be employed; but

I prefer to Ymake use of the reciprocating pack which the conveyer-bclt is carried.

may require, I make the reel adjustable vertiter is adjusted near the ground as well as when as an automatic gaveler, or as a header, or as link, 7c', attached to the upper end of the arm er clearly represented in Figs. l and 3. This packerfconsists of two horizontal reciprocating, arms', G', arranged to project at their outer ends through openings on the outer side of the frame immediately over thereceiver, as shown in Fig. 3. 'Ihe packer-arms C -have their inner ends attached to'and carried 'by a transverse shaft, f', supportedin horizontal 'slotted guides g', and having` its' ends bent forward at right angles and mountedupon cranks la', mounted upon and connected with one of the rolls by The rotation of thecranks causes the shaft to be moved to and fro in the slotted guides, and.. causes it to impart the' required reciprocatin g motion to the packer-arms. The grain discharged by the conveyerintothe receiver falls in front of -the packer-arms as 'the latter are withdrawn, and is compressed by the forward movement ofthe arms, which reciprocate rapidly. "While it is preferred to operate the arms in the manner described, it is obvious that the reciprocating` motion may be imparted to them by suitable mechanism from any other moving part ofthe machine. p

In order to adapt my machine for use either as a harvester or as a header, as circumstances cally to such an extent that it may be set to act upon the heads of the grain when the cutadjusted to cutnear the headset' the grain. The manner in which the reel is thus supported is clearly represented in Figs. 1, 2, and 9. The ends ofthe reelshaft are mounted in notched bars t', pivoted at their lower ends to the sides of the main frame, each bar heilig provided with aseries of notches, into any one of which the shaft may be inserted at will. Adjacent to the swinging arms, i', I secure rigid upright arms j to the sides ofthe harvester-frame, as shown in Fig. 9, in such position that upon ing from its notch or bearing. A swinging t", forms a convenient means of locking the two. arms together.

When it is desired to change the -height of the reel it is only necessary to release the links 1r', when the reel-supporting arms t" will fall backward, leaving the bearings exposed, so that the reel may be readily moved from one to another.

In order that the machine may be-adapted for use under different circumstances-either a hand-binder-I provide an endless elevator and a hand-binder table, either of which may he substituted at will in place of the automatic gaveling device before described. In order to permit the readyattachment of these parts, the main frame is provided, as shown in Figs. 3, 7, and 8, and in dotted lines in Fig. 2, with sockets Z', into which the supporting-arms of the gaveling attachment are inserted, and I also provide the frame, near the top, with eyes m', into which hooked arms upon the gaveling attachment may be engaged, as shown in Fig. 3. This inode of attachmentw permits 'the gaveling device to be nnhooked and removed at will."

When the machine is to be employed as a header itis desirable that the heads-of the grain shall `be delivered at a distance from the side ofthe machina-in order that-they maybe delivered into the body of awagon, which will accompany the machine in the eld, as usual. For the purposeof thus delivering the heads I em ploy an endlesselevator, n', as represented inFig. 7. This elevator consists of a frame carrying anendless apron mounted upon two rolls in its end, the frame being provided with an arm, o', vto enter the sockets l on the main frame, and with hooked aims `10 to engage with the eyes m', the mode ofattaching and supporting this conveyer being the same-as that described in connection with the automatic gaveler. The lower end of the conveyer-apron a stands in such relation to the transverse conveyer P as to receive the heads of grain therefrom, the heads being carried upward on the conveyer a and delivered over its outer end.

'Motion may be transmitted to the conveyerbelt a' in any suitable manner; but it is preferred to provide one of its carrying-rolls with a pulley and drive the same by a belt, g', from a pulley o'n one of the rolls of the main conveyer I), as shown in the drawings.

When the harvester is to be employed as a hand-binderl substitute in place of the delivering-conveyer above described a binders platform and table, as represented in Fig. 8, the table r being provided with arms to enter the sockets l in the main frame, andthe platform s being provided with arms t to enter sockets in the main frame, and also with sustaining-rods u to engage with eyes on the side of the main frame. Under this arrangement of parts the grain will be delivered from the main conveyer-apron P directly to the bindertable r. 4

It is manifest that in place of the gaveling and binding devices herein described an auto` matic binder of any suitable construction may be attached in any suitable manner to the frame opposite the outer end of the transverse conveyer, so that the grain delivered from said conveyer will be received directly by the automatic binder.

The reeling, raking, and elevating mechanism herein described 'forms no part of the present invention, being made the subject-matter ot' a separate application. The present inven tion is restricted to the matters and things herein specifically claimed, and as to any other parts or features which may be shown and de scribed herein, and particularly the packingarms, the right is reserved to make the same the subject-matter of a separate patent.

Having thus described my invent-ion, what I claim is i 1. In combination with the main harvesteri IOO IIO

frame and its two sustaining-wheels, the rearwardly extendingv vertically pivoted tongue, the swiveled steering-wheel mounted on the tongue, and the chains extending from the main frame backward and connected with the -steering-wheel, substantially as shown.

2. The main frame,its wheels,and the levers supporting said wheels, in combination with the jointed rearwardlyextended tongue, its sustaining-Wheel, the lever mounted on the tongue, and the chains extending from lsaid levertothewheel-sustaininglevers,substantially as shown,whereby the frame may be adjusted in height at' will and maintained in a substantially horizontal position.

3..The revolving receiver having its shaft arranged to slide laterally, in combination with the notched disk'and locking-stud, whereby the receiver is held in position until unlocked by the pressure of the accumulated grain.

4. In combination with the'rotary receiver `arranged to yield laterally, the pinion thereonv and the stationary driving-pinion arranged, as described, to engage with the receiver-piuion only when the latter is moved outward.

5. In combination with the rotary side moving receiver and its pinion and notched disk, the locking-stud and the stationary drivingpinion, as shown and described.

6. In combination with the rotary side moving receiver and its locking devices, the grainpackingdevices, substantially as shown,where' by the receiver is caused to move'sidewise and unlock whenever a predetermined amount of 35 grain has accumulated therein.

JOHN KEYS.

Witnesses:

P. T. DODGE, NEWTON WYoKoFF. 

